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ALXnow Daily Debrief for Dec 9, 2025

By ALXnow.com

Good Tuesday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Dec 9, 2025.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. ‘Ten Thousand Villages’ store in Old Town to rebrand as ‘The World Crafted on King’ (467 views)
  2. Gaskins discusses the future of Alexandria’s affordable housing with Atlantic editor (363 views)
  3. Amid staffing issues, Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire touts crime reduction in first year (338 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

🌦️ Wednesday’s forecast

Expect rain between 8am and 2pm, with cloudy skies and a high near 45. There will be south winds of 11-14 mph, gusting up to 25 mph, and a 40% chance of precipitation. The night will be mostly cloudy, with lows around 32 and west winds of 10-13 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Turn your wounds into wisdom.”
– Oprah Winfrey

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Police investigate after vehicle strikes pedestrian in Rosemont

By James Cullum
Alexandria Fire Department ambulance. (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria police are investigating after a vehicle struck a man at the intersection of Russell Road and W. Glendale Avenue in Rosemont this afternoon (Tuesday).

The victim sustained a non-life threatening head injury, according to dispatch reports. The incident briefly shut down southbound Russell Road at W. Glendale Avenue, and police and the Alexandria Fire Department responded to the scene.

Go to Police investigate after vehicle strikes pedestrian in Rosemont Read more

Amid staffing issues, Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire touts crime reduction in first year

By James Cullum
Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s been a long first year for Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire.

While the city has seen a double-digit reduction in reported crime to-date this year, the Alexandria Police Department is struggling with staffing and compensation. Ongoing staffing issues have prompted McGuire to transfer some officers from specialized units to staff patrol operations on the street.

Go to Amid staffing issues, Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire touts crime reduction in first year Read more

Biennial ‘AlexMoves’ transportation survey is taking responses through Dec. 28

By Katie Taranto
Alexandria Transit Company (photo courtesy DASH)

The city of Alexandria is seeking residents’ insights on how they are commuting and getting around the city.

The city released its 2025 AlexMoves survey yesterday (Monday), aiming “to gather a representative sample of trips made in the City of Alexandria.” The survey, also known as the Transportation Needs Assessment Survey, is conducted in partnership with firm Polco and will be open through Sunday, Dec. 28.

Go to Biennial ‘AlexMoves’ transportation survey is taking responses through Dec. 28 Read more

Gaskins discusses the future of Alexandria’s affordable housing with Atlantic editor

By Katie Taranto
(From left to right) Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Yoni Appelbaum of The Atlantic and Laura Dobbs, Policy Director of Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia during a Dec. 8 affordable housing discussion at The Lyceum (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Mayor Alyia Gaskins shared possible initiatives to preserve Alexandria’s dwindling affordable housing supply during a conversation with an editor at The Atlantic last night (Monday).

Gaskins and Yoni Appelbaum, author of “Stuck“, met at The Lyceum to discuss affordable housing, the history of zoning laws and how Alexandria should approach ongoing efforts to update its Housing Master Plan.

Go to Gaskins discusses the future of Alexandria’s affordable housing with Atlantic editor Read more

Morning Notes for December 9, 2025

By ALXnow.com
Westies at the 2025 Scottish Christmas Walk Parade (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Dec. 9, 1839, the first lecture program was performed at Alexandria’s newly-built center for adult learning and knowledge, The Lyceum. The Alexandria Lyceum was founded a year earlier by a group of well-educated local men with an interest in improving public educational and cultural opportunities throughout the community. In early 1839, the group joined with the Alexandria Library to construct a new home for both organizations. This historic site has also served as a Civil War hospital ward, a private residence, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Nation’s first Bicentennial Visitor’s Center.” [Historic Alexandria]

Habitat Restoration Pilot Launches at Four Mile Run — “For this pilot program, two sections along the park’s forest edge have been set aside as Habitat Restoration Areas (HRAs)—places where nature will be given space to thrive. The project will use both natural regeneration and hands-on planting to restore native plants, improve wildlife habitat, and strengthen the park’s ecosystem.” [The Zebra]

Go to Morning Notes for December 9, 2025 Read more

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Dec 8, 2025

By ALXnow.com

Good Monday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Dec 8, 2025.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Alexandria traffic board to consider ‘no turn’ restrictions at intersection of October crash (1187 views)
  2. Alexandria police union decries current officer pay as collective bargaining reaches impasse (771 views)
  3. PHOTOS: Don’t miss ALXnow’s coverage of the Scottish Christmas Walk Parade (462 views)
  4. ‘Pink Pony Club’ and ‘Santa Jaws’: Holiday Boat Parade announces 2025 winners (452 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies and a high near 35 with calm winds turning south at 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Tonight, it will be mostly cloudy with a low around 30 and south winds at 8 to 10 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world.”
– Roy T. Bennett

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

UPDATE: Alexandria police union decries current officer pay as collective bargaining reaches impasse

By James Cullum
Alexandria Police Department cruisers on Nov. 7, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Updated at 1 p.m., Dec. 9: An earlier version of this story included a previous offer from the city on pay compensation in its collective bargaining negotiations with the Alexandria Police Department. The city’s most recent offer increases starting pay for police officers 17.21% from $63,988 a year to an annual salary of $75,000; a 21% increase for sergeants from $72,300 to $87,500 and police lieutenants 15% from $89,800 to $106,900.

With collective bargaining at a standstill, the Alexandria Police Department’s union is calling for increased salaries as the department’s pay has fallen behind other Northern Virginia localities.

Go to UPDATE: Alexandria police union decries current officer pay as collective bargaining reaches impasse Read more

Registration for Alexandria’s winter programs and activities opens next week

By Katie Taranto
Aquatics class at the Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility (via Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities, City of Alexandria, VA/Facebook)

The Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities has released its Winter 2026 Program Guide, detailing new seasonal classes, activities and more.

Starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, Alexandria residents can sign up for RPCA’s winter programs, which start next month and run through April 2026. Registration for nonresidents opens two days later, on Dec. 19.

Go to Registration for Alexandria’s winter programs and activities opens next week Read more

Alexandria traffic board to consider ‘no turn’ restrictions at intersection of October crash

By Katie Taranto
Proposed No Turn on Red restrictions (via City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria Traffic and Parking Board will consider new “No Turn on Red” restrictions at an intersection near Del Ray and North Ridge, after a vehicle struck a woman and her child there in October.

The restrictions would apply to all approaches at the five-legged intersection of Russell Road, Monroe Avenue and High Street, an area that connects single-family neighborhoods to churches and child care facilities, according to the city. The staff recommendation is part of the board’s consent agenda during its 7 p.m. meeting tonight (Monday).

Go to Alexandria traffic board to consider ‘no turn’ restrictions at intersection of October crash Read more

‘Christmas in Camp’ Civil War program coming to Fort Ward this weekend

By Katie Taranto
Fort Ward Park, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site’s annual Christmas in Camp program returns this Saturday, offering a glimpse into Civil War-era holiday celebrations.

The event includes historical reenactors interacting across the museum’s decorated winter camp settings, according to the Office of Historic Alexandria. The educational program lasts from noon to 4 p.m. at the museum — one of the Union Army’s best-preserved forts in the Defenses of Washington — located at 4301 W. Braddock Road.

Go to ‘Christmas in Camp’ Civil War program coming to Fort Ward this weekend Read more
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